Chapter 19: Part 2

Lei tried wrenching the bars apart with his bare hands. Unfortunately, it seemed that they were stuck until Azami could get back to them. Yukino sat on the other side of the cage quietly, she hugged her knees close to her chest idly traced the bars of the cage with her fingers. Lei, exhausted, finally plopped himself down on the floor and sighed. "I'm sorry I couldn't bail you out Yukino…"

The girl rested her chin on her knees and smiled softly. "It's alright, really."

He avoided her gaze, he felt guilty for what had happened. "Are you hungry?" Lei asked. The girl shook her head. Lei pulled out a chocolate bar from his pockets and twirled it between two fingers. "I'm sure you are." he placed the chocolate bar in her hand and closed her palm.

Yukino blushed and nodded weakly, she began peeling off the plastic wrapper when something caught Lei's attention. White cotton panties! If he looked closer, he could see the mounds of fles—he shook his head vigorously--Leiclosed his eye shut and looked elsewhere, he quickly looked for anything that would take his eyes off from that... Yukino looked at him suspiciously. "Is something wrong?" she asked. Lei shook his now crimson face. "N-Nothing, really!" he blurted out nervously.

"If you say so…" she replied. Just as she was about to bit the confectionary delight the sound of roaring thunder and the familiar splatter of water reached her ears. She'd barely noticed that it was getting dark, the rain fell without warning. Lei waved frantically but everyone else was busy looking for cover, including the marshal who managed the marriage booth. "Damn, of all the rotten luck!" he grumbled.

Yukino suddenly skirted beside Lei, her uniform was soaked wet, it seemed the roof, wasn't secured properly and water leaked in unimpeded. The only dry spot was Lei's corner. Yukino shivered, she tried getting warmer by hugging herself but It just wasn't working. "I'm sorry… It's cold and—" Lei placed two fingers on her lips. "It's alright, no need to explain." he said gently.

Yukino sneezed and rubbed her nose. Lei edged closer to her." You have to get out of those wet clothes. " he said hesitantly. Lei undid the hooks on his cloak and wrapped it around Yukino. The girl nodded in response and slowly undid the button of her blouse. Lei sighed, at least this way, he didn't see her near naked body… although his memories of bumping into her when she had no clothes on were burned vividly into his mind. "I'm done…" Yukino told him, the girl was blushing as furiously as he was.

Lei couldn't help but stare at the brunette, not only was she beautiful, her personality was just as great. Unlike some crazed katana-swinging girl he knew! He didn't know what he'd done to Azami to deserve the treatment he got from her, it bothered him a lot. "Is something wrong?" Yukino's voice broke his train of thoughts.

"I'm—" he sneezed "—fine." he frowned, that wasn't very convincing. He was cold, but he didn't want her to worry.

Yukino avoided his gaze and inched towards him. "We can share?" she suggested in a timid voice. Lei's eyes snapped open. "Share?" he wondered. The girl nodded softly, she draped the other half of the robe on Lei. Now they were both cuddled up in a corner inside the same, hot, small and stuffy robe. "Your body is hot..." Yukino mumbled dreamily.

"Eh?"

She suddenly realized the implications of what she had just said. "I meant warm!" she said in embarrassment. Yukino buried her face in her hands. "I-I didn't mean too… You know." Lei bit his lips, the feel of her scantily clothed body against his skin, her breasts brushing against his shoulders and the increasingly hot temperature. It was overwhelming. "I-I get it. It's ok." he reassured her.

"I guess no one's coming back until the rain stops." Yukino mumbled.

"Yeah." Lei agreed.

"Would you… wrap your arms around me, it's still cold…"

Lei swallowed hard, his trembling hand found its way around her back and shoulder. Finally, with great effort he allowed his hand to rest on her shoulder. Yukino instantly snuggled up against him, she leaned her head on his shoulders.

Lei took in a deep breath to steady himself. "I'm sorry Yuki—" this time it was her turn to place a finger on his lips. "It's alright… If I was given a choice on who id be stuck with, Id still choose you Lei-kun." she said with a genuine smile on her lips. Lei felt his heart skip. A familiar ecstatic feeling began to spread from his chest to everywhere else. "But why me..?"

Yukino took his hands in hers. "Because you're the first guy who's been nice to me." she said breathlessly. He squeezed her small hands tightly. "You're hot."

Yukino gave Lei a vacant stare. "Your feverish!" he said nervously, Lei placed a hand on her forehead.

"Huh?" she mumbled before drifting into sleep.

Lei lifted Yukino unto his back and made his way to the Geffen Tower. Azami looked at his with a trace of suspicion. "Did you do anything to her while she was sleeping!" Azami snapped. Lei shook his head. "Why would I?" he said sourly.

Azami moved in front of him. "The question here is, why wouldn't you?"

Lei closed his eyes and exhaled. "Because I have a conscience."

Azami crossed her arms, her lips curled into a pout. Yukino suddenly started muttering some incoherent words. "Is she dreaming?" Azami asked. "Dunno." Lei muttered. Yukino licked her lips and smiled. "I… didn't know you were a good kisser Lei…" she mumbled while sleeping. Azami's hands were already firmly clamped around the handle of her blade. Lei swallowed hard, one way or another, he was done for.

Lei ran for the tower with Yukino on his back. "I didn't do anything, I swear!"

"Stop running! Damn it!" Azami screamed as she waved her sword in the gathering darkness.

"Odin save me!"